What to consider when taking up golf

The world of golf has enjoyed a significant increase in participants over the past couple of years. According to research from the R&A in May 2021, an extra 2.3 million adults took to the courses in 2020. Following the pandemic, there were also more women enjoying the sport than ever before.

Golf remains popular throughout the world and here are a few possible reasons why:

• Keep fit and healthy – Being active is great for fitnesslevels and golf is no exception. A golfer can cover a few miles of course during an average round, contributing to cardiovascular health and overall fitness.

• Boost your mood – Exercise is known to increase mood, particularly when done on a regular basis.

• Enjoy the outdoors – What better reason to get outsideand into nature than to participate in your favourite sport?

• Escapism – Many golfers love having a place to retreat where they can forget the stresses of work and everyday life.

• Inclusivity – Golf can be enjoyed by almost everyone,from younger children to older adults.

Getting started

If you’re thinking of taking up this popular pastime, there are a few things you might want to consider before you begin.

Choosing the right golf clubs

If you’re new to the sport, it might be worth seeing if you can borrow some golf clubs from a friend to start with until you’re sure you want to fully commit. If you do buy your own, there’s no need to spend thousands on your first set. Create a budget of what you’re willing to spend and you can build up your collection from there.

Insurance

Given the nature of the sport, you should consider personal liability golf insurance. If deemed negligent, this could cover you if you accidentally injure someone or damage third party property whilst on the golf course. Joining an England Golf-affiliated club will provide you with liability insurance and also the option to cover your golf clubs as well as personal injury to yourself.

Joining a club

There are many benefits to joining a club, whether you want to play professionally or just for a bit of fun. You’ll meet like-minded people, have the chance to take part in events and competitions and, if you play regularly, save money over the course of a year. There are usually different types of membership options available, so you should find it easy to find one that suits you.

Lessons

Many clubs offer lessons to help you build your skills, whether you’re a beginner or a professional. You can often book lessons in blocks to save money and some places will also provide introductory courses.

Follow these tips and you could soon be a regular golfer andmingling with the local club professionals.